
Suggest Treatment For Pain When Having Degenerative Disc Disease

Seems opioids have developed tollerance
Detailed Answer:
Hello. I have been through your question and understand your concern.
Unfortunately, the situation seems to be serious. The global degenerative disc disease is a progressive condition. I do not fully agree with the previous doctors that surgery has little or no benefits, thus not indicated. If the spinal cord is compressed you might get some benefit from decompression, or at least the situation will not progress at that level.
Considering your main concern, which is pain; as I understood from your accurate and detailed report has been stable under treatment and now has gotten worse. The treatment you are having is the strongest one can have for treating pain. The problem with this type of drugs is that being opioid, sooner or later, these develop some degree of tolerance.
Still, you should have another MRI planned to see the if the spinal changes are the same or have progressed in some way.
In case there is a clear clinical and radiological indication (which can be seen in the MRI) for another cortisone injection in any of the facet joints, the insurance can reconsider it.
At last, you should also plan another neurosurgical consult after the MRI. Still, if your spinal cord is suffering surgical indication must be reconsidered from the neurosurgeon, especially now that you are refractory to pain treatment.
Hope this helps with some of your questions, please feel free for further questions.
Wish you good health.


allogenic mesenchimal stem cells study
Detailed Answer:
Hello again dear. I think you should be patient because there are some trials with hopeful reaults.
The most prominent study is about Allogenic mesenchymal stem cells where autologous or donor stem cells are implanted in the degenerative site. The definitive results are still to come though.
Hope this helps. Wish you the best health.


Surgery is still an option
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. I know it is difficult to manage pain and it becomes troublesome and debilitating.
I am a surgeon. Thus I think as a surgeon. Surgery is very invasive. But, if there is some clear indication, meaning that if your spinal cord is suffering which can be seen in the MRI or in a Neurological consult (better if seen in both) I would do surgery. Maybe it will not solve the pain problem, but it wont let things progress.
I do not believe stem cell therapy is reliable at the moment. I would wait for the trials.
Since than, I would continue the same.
Best wishes for you having the best health.

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